Ski boot construction

ABSTRACT

A SKI BOOT CONSTRUCTION INCLUDING A FLEXIBLE INNER BOOT PORTION SEPARABLE FROM AN OUTER BOOT PORTION. THE OUTER BOOT COMPRISES SUBSTANTIALLY RIGID TOE AND HEEL SHELLS HINGED TOGETHER AND A CLOSURE MEMBER HINGED TO THE HEEL SHELL. BUCKLES AND CLASPS ARE PROVIDED SO THAT THE SHELLS AND THE CLOSURE MAY BE FASTENED IN A UNITARY STRUCTURE ABOUT THE INNER BOOT. COOPERATING MEANS ARE PROVIDED IN THE INTERIOR OF THE OUTER BOOT AND THE EXTERIOR OF THE INNER BOOT TO LOCK THE INNER BOOT WITH RESPECT TO THE OUTER BOOT. THE LOCKING MEANS INCLUDES A LONGITUDINAL RECESS IN THE OUTER BOOT WHICH IS FORMED TO RECEIVE THE MOLDED SOLE OF THE INNER BOOT, AND MATING SERRATIONS WHICH ARE PROVIDED ON THE INNER AND OUTER BOOTS WITHIN THE RECESS AND AT THE HEEL AREA OF THE BOOTS.

Oct. 5, 1971 K ETAL 3,609,887

SKI BOOT CONSTRUCTION 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 18, 1970 IN VENTORS Oct. 5, 1971 HICKMANN EIAL 3,609,87

SKI BOOT CONSTRUCTION 6 SheetsSheet Filed March 18, 1970 ATTORNEYS 06E. 5, 1971 H, |-||CKMANN ETAL 3,609,887

SKI BOOT CONSTRUCTION 6 Sheets-Sheet 15 Filed March 18, 1970 6'57 F15 @wvz Z2 1 N VHNTOW :4 M ATTORNEY A; oe/ww/y 1 few/105 Oct. 5, 197] H|CKMANN ETAL 3,609,887

SKI BOOT CONSTRUCTION Filed March 18. 1970 6 Sheets-Sheet 4.

VENTORS Oct. 5, 1971 HlcKMANN ETAL 3,609,887

SKI BOOT CONSTRUCTION 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 18, 1970 INVENTORS 1%!5IJFH6A M4NN BY [kw/v2 155w wv use 0a. 5, 1971 H, R H. KMANN ETAL 3,609,887

SKI BOOT CONSTRUCTION Filed March 18, 1970 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 ATTORNEYS United States Patent O ice 3,609,887 SKI BOOT CONSTRUCTION Horst R. Hickmann, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Franz Herunter, Vienna, Austria, assignors to Head Ski Company, Inc., Timonium, Md.

Filed Mar. 18, 1970, Ser. No. 20,695 Int. Cl. A43b US. Cl. 362.5 AL 13 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A ski boot construction including a flexible inner boot portion separable from an outer boot portion. The outer boot comprises substantially rigid toe and heel shells hinged together and a closure member hinged to the heel shell. Buckles and clasps are provided so that the shells and the closure may be fastened in a unitary structure about the inner boot. Cooperating means are provided in the interior of the outer boot and the exterior of the inner boot to lock the inner boot with respect to the outer boot. The locking means includes a longitudinal recess in the outer boot which is formed to receive the molded sole of the inner boot, and mating serrations which are provided on the inner and outer boots within the recess and at the heel area of the boots.

The present invention is directd to an improved ski boot construction and comprises a modification of the construction disclosed in the application entitled Ski Boot Construction by Horst R. Hickmann, filed concurrently herewith.

The improvements presented herein and in the aforementioned Hickmann application have developed as a result of advances in materials suitable for ski boots which overcome the shortcomings of those materials used in the past. More particularly, better quality ski boots for many years have been formed of leather, a substance which, when properly formed, provides comfort to the wearer and performs acceptably. However, as leather is exposed to the stresses of ski boot use, it stretches and as a result loses the support characteristics originally built into the boot. As skiing techniques have advanced, more emphasis has been placed on the control of the skis behavior by transmission of leg movement through the boots to the skis. Consequently, increased attention has been focused on ski boot constructions which firmly support the ankles and feet of the user.

With the advent of synthetics, the use of such materials in ski boots as a substitute for leather has been undertaken. These synthetics permit a boot to be made having permanent characteristics of durability and strength. However, the substantially rigidity of these boots introduces problems of providing comfort for the wearer and of proper fitting. The present invention is directed to a ski boot design wherein the wearers foot is surrounded by a flexible inner boot which, in turn, is firmly maintained within a substantially rigid outer boot made of plastic. The inner boot is positively and securely positioned within the outer boot whereby the wearer is provided with strong support for his ankles and fixed positioning for his feet while enjoying the comfort of the flexible inner boot.

In greater detail, the inner boot comprises a relatively soft construction which closely adheres to the wearers foot, particularly in the instep area. This inner boot is a comfortable slipper-like item which is relatively easy to fit to a person. The foot is held firmly within the inner boot by an adjustable tarsal strap which is secured to opposite sides of the inner boot and which passes over the 3,609,887 Patented Oct. 5, 1971 instep area. The outer boot comprises toe and heel shell portions which are hinged together. A closure member is also hinged to the heel shell. The shells are molded of substantially rigid plastic. The shells and the closure are provided with buckles and clasps wherein the shells and closure may be fastened as a unitary structure about the inner boot after the latter has been inserted within the outer boot construction. The interior of the outer boot and the exterior of the inner boot are provided with cooperating locking means to prevent the inner boot from longitudinal, vertical or lateral movement with respect to the outer boot. Longitudinal and lateral movement are prevented by employing the outer boot a recess extending longitudinally of the boot, the recess conforming in shape with the molded sole of the inner boot. The recess and inner boot sole also have mating serrations to assist in resisting longitudinal movement. A portion of the inner boot sole projects into a cavity in the outer boot at the front end of the recess. This prevents lifting of the front end of the inner boot, and vertical lifting is prevented by mating serrations on the heel portions of the inner and outer boot. By so securing the inner boot within the outer one, the wearers foot is comfortably retained in a fixed position whereby maximum response can be achieved between the skier and his skis.

The foregoing construction has many additional advantages. The inner boot is separable from the outer one and therefore may be used as a comfortable aprs ski boot. By the means employed to lock the inner boot within resisting longitudinal movement. A portion of the inner and outer boots is not critical. The locking means permits the easily stored inner boot to be stocked conveniently in all sizes while the bulky outer boot can be inventoried in a lesser number of sizes. Such an arrangement is convenient for the seller of the ski boot. Also precise and correct fitting of the ski boots can be easily managed since it only becomes necessary to closely fit the customer to a slipper-like inner boot rather than a complex rigid outer boot. Inasmuch as the outer boot need not be precisely fitted for each wearer, it is possible for persons of similar foot size to use the same outer boot, and when inner boots are worn out, new inner boots may be purchased without the requirement that the outer boot be replaced. The fact that ski bindings are mounted on the skis in relation to the size of the outer boot, the interchange of boots from one person will often permit the skis to be used without the bindings being remonnted.

Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded side elevational view of a right outer boot;

FIG. 2 is an exploded side elevational view of the outer boot of FIG. 1 taken from the side opposite that shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the outer boot shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a right inner boot adapted to cooperate with the boot shown in FIGS. l-3;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the inner boot of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a front plan view of the inner boot of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmented View in section illustrating the manner in which vertical lifting of the heel portion of the inner boot is prevented;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmented view in section illustrating the manner in which vertical lifting of the toe portion of the inner boot is prevented;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmented view in section illustrating the manner in which rearward movement of the inner boot is resisted.

Referring now to the drawings, the invention will be described in detail. FIGS. l3 illustrate the principal components of the outer boot construction. The outer boot comprises three basic elements. These are a toe shell 10, a heel shell 12 and a closure 14. The toe and heel shells and the closure are preferably injection molded polyurethane.

The toe and-heel shells are interconnected by a transverse hinge, indicated as 16 in FIG. 3, extending normal to the length of a boot at its sole portion.

The closure 14 is hinged to one upper side of the heel shell 12 by a hinge arrangement. More particularly, the front edge of heel shell 12 is provided with interior and exterior recesses to accommodate a Ushaped metallic hinge plate 20. This plate is rigidly secured to the heel shell by rivets or other means. A further U- shaped hinge plate 21 complementary to plate 20 is fastened to closure 14 on one side thereof. A removable hinge pin 22 connects hinge plates 20 and 21. The advantage of providing a removable hinge pin is that closures of different durometer may be employed suitable to the type of skiing being done and accommodating skiers of differing abilities. The plates 20 and 21 are positioned on the inside of the ski boot. These plates protect the outer boot from damage arising particularly from rubbing engagement with the companion boot.

When the closure 14 is in the open position and when the toe shell is tipped forwardly, access to the interior of the outer boot is facilitated, and the inner boot may be inserted therein. The inner boot is secured within the outer boot by buckling the toe shell 10 and the closure 14 to the heel shell 12. More particularly, with the inner boot inside the outer boot, the sole portion of the toe shell 10 is brought into substantial alignment with the cor-responding portion of the heel shell 12, and portions of the edges of these shells mate. Preferably this is accomplished by forming the mating edges in a tongue and groove fashion. Clasps 25 and 26 are attached to the sides of closure 14 opposite hinge 22 and are positioned so as to be engaged by buckles 28 and 30, respectively, thereby securing the closure 14 to the heel sheel 12. When the closure is buckled, the toe shell 10 is held in alignment with the heel shell by means to be described in detail hereinafter. The clasps and buckles are of non-corrosive metals, and each buckle is provided with several adjustment nootches in conventional fashion.

The clasps 25 and 26 are supported by securing to the closure, on the opposite side from plate 21, a steel member 32 by rivets or other means and using plate 32 as a base for pivotally securing the clasp to the closure. A portion of member 32 overlaps the forward edge of heel shell 12 when closure 14 is shut to thereby cover the mating edges of shell 12 and closure 14. The heel shell 12 is a two piece construction which is hinged together to permit limited pivoting movement of the upper portion of the outer boot. The heel shell 12 comprises a lower portion 34 and an upper portion 36. Portion 34 is hinged to the toe shell 10 by hinge 16. The upper exterior section of portion 34 is formed with a molded groove 38 to define shoulders 40 and 41 extending about the rear of portion 34. Recesses 42 and 44 are also provided on opposite sides of portion 34 to receive hinge plates 46 and 48, respectively, which are fastened to heel shell portion 34 by suitable means such as rivets.

The upper heel shell portion 36 has U-shaped plates attached thereto at its front edges. The plate 20 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with a forwardly projecting tab arrangement 50 at its lower portion. The U-shaped plate 52 on the opposite side of portion 36 (FIG. 2) similarly is provided with a tab arrangement 54. The lower interior section of portion 36- is formed with a molded groove 56 to define interior shoulders 58 and 60 extending about the rear of portion 36. When assembled the heel portions 34 and 36 are pivotally connected by pins 62 joining plate 46 to tab arrangement 50 and plate 48 to tab arrangement 54 (FIG. 3). When the upper portion 36 of the outer boot is pivoted to its rearward limit, the bottom edge of portion 36 rests on shoulder 41 and the top edge of lower portion 34 engages shoulder 60. The width of groove 56 is greater than shoulder portion 40, so when the upper shell portion 36 is tipped forwardly, it pivots to a degree limited by ultimate engagement of shoulder 58 with shoulder 40. The widths of grooves 38 and 56, which define the shoulders, are selected to produce the desired pivoting motion.

The closure portion .14 has a cutout area '64 which is provided in the closure to receive an accordion-like compression member 66 of flexible material which permits the closure 14 to change its configuration due to the forces applied to it when the upper heel shell portion 36 is pivoted.

To lock closure 14 with the toe shell 10 a groove 68 is provided near the lower interior edge of the closure to define a flange 70. Similarly, the toe shell 10 is provided near its upper edge with a groove 72 to define a flange 74. When the closure 14 is buckled to the heel shell 12, flange 70 is received in groove 72, and flange 74 is received in groove 68 to securely join the toe shell and the closure to each other and to the heel shell.

Other features of the outer boot which can be observed in FIG. 3 are elements used in locking the inner boot against slippage either longitudinally, laterally or vertically with respect to the outer boot. For this purpose the interior sole of the outer boot is provided with a longitudinal recess 76 having parallel sides. At the interior heel of the heel shell portion 34 serrations 78 are molded. These serrations begin within recess 76 and extend upwardly. The apex of each serration is approximately 60, the bottom surfaces of the serrations extending in substantially horizontal planes. The recess 76 at its forward end projects within an area in the sole below the upper portion of toe shell 10 to define a shoulder 80. Along the bottom of recess 76 are two sections of serrations extending transversely of the length of the boot. These are serrations 82 and 84. With respect to serrations 82, the forward surface of each serration is in a substantially vertical plane and the apex of each serration is approximately 60 Serrations 84 are identical except that the rear surfaces of each serration are in vertical planes. The func tion of the various locking elements just identified will be described following a description of the inner boot construction.

Two additional features of the outer boot construction which can be seen in FIG. 3 are a snow guard 86 at the upper rear portion of heel shell 12 and a recess 88 in. approximately the center of the upper edge of closure 14. The snow guard 86 is a woven or synthetic material stretched across a recess in the upper rear of the heel shell 12 to prevent snow from gaining access to the heel shell through the recessed area. The recess 88 permits the wearer of the boot to lean forwardly inasmuch as it is positioned to accommodate the shinbone of the wearer. The recess covered by snow guard 86 allow the wearer limited upward movement, and its contour distributes the pressure of the back of the heel shell over different areas of the wearers leg.

FIGS. 4-6 illustrate an inner boot which comprises a leather or plastic upper portion 90 secured to a sole 92 molded of rubber or synthetic material. The sole includes an elongated bottom portion 94 having parallel sides and a projecting front portion 96. The rear vertical edge of sole 92 has serrations 98. When the inner boot is located within the outer one, these serrations are complementary in location and orientation to serrations 78 on the outer boot (FIG. 7). The bottom portion 94 of the Sole is precisely dimensioned to be received within recess 76 of the outer boot (FIG. 3). When so positioned the projection 96 of the inner boot contacts the vertical wall 99' of recess 76 at the front of the boot (FIGS. 3 and 8), and serrations 98 engage serrations 78. Also, serration sections 100 and 102 on the bottom of sole 92 (which are complementary in location and orientation to sections 82 and 84, respectively, in the outer boot) interlock with sections 82 and 84. FIG. 9 illustrates this arrangement for serrations 82 and 100. Thus, the inner boot is restrained from longitudinal movement. The shoulder 80 (FIG. 8) and the serrations 78 (FIG. 7) prevent the inner boot from lifting with respect to the outer boot, and the side walls of recess 76 prevent lateral movement of the inner boot. Accordingly, the inner boot is firmly locked within the outer one when the sole of the inner boot is positioned in the recess 76 and the portions of the outer boot are buckled together.

It will be appreciated that the dimensions of sole portion 94 can be common for different sizes of inner boots. This permits a given outer boot being used for various sizes of inner boots.

An opening 104 in the front central portion of the boot shown in FIGS. 4-6 provides access to the boot. Closure is achieved by overlapping flaps 106 and 108 having securing means, such as Velcro, on the mating surfaces of the flaps. An adjustable tarsal strap 1 10 is secured to opposite sides of the inner boot to firmly position the foot within the inner boot. With the foot secured in the inner boot, and the inner boot locked within the outer boot, the skiers movements are directly transmitted to the skis and vice versa.

In the embodiment illustrated, the serrations in the outer boot are recessed and those on the inner boot are projecting. However, it is apparent that this relationship can be reversed.

Now that the details of the inner and outer boots have been presented, the manner of use will be described. With the closure 14 opened and the toe shell 10 tipped forwardly, the skier, having adjusted tarsal strap 110, inserts the projection 96 of his inner boot within recess 76 so that the projection engages the vertical wall 99 in the toe shell. By putting weight on the foot, the remainder of the inner boot sole moves into recess 76, the serrations 98 snapping past outer boot serrations 78 until the sole '94 is completely within the recess. This action causes the toe shell to pivot into mating relationship with the heel and the serrations 82 and 84 to engage serrations 100 and 102, respectively. The inner boot is at this point locked in place as previously described. The closure 14 is then buckled to the heel shell 12 and the boot is ready for use. To remove the inner boot, the closure 14 buckles are opened thereby releasing the locking pressure and freeing the inner boot for removal from the outer boot.

From the foregoing it is apparent that the present invention provides a number of advantages. The principal one is that the skier need be precisely fitted only to the inner boot which is considerably less expensive than the outer boot construction. The slipper-like inner boot is flexible and conforms to irregularities of the wearers foot. Accordingly, a very comfortable fit is obtained, so comfortable, in fact, that the inner boot can be used for apres ski wear. The inner boot also provides the feature of warmth and dryness.

Since an outer boot need only be produced in relatively few sizes to accommodate a great variety of lengths and widths of inner boots, the outer boot becomes permanent and can be used by persons of different foot size.

The foregoing construction also provides the very important technical advantage that the foot and angle are permanently and firmly secured with uniform pressure distribution in the correct skiing position within the boot. The proper positioning of the foot and ankle results in maximum response efiiciency for the skier inasmuch as 6 his movements are transmitted directly to the ski, and the action of the ski is communicated to the body.

Further features of the invention are the strength and durability of the boot construction, the ease of entry and adjustment, and its fashionability.

The above-described embodiments are illustrative of preferred embodiments of the invention but are not intended to limit the possibilities of insuring the features hereinbefore described. It will become apparent to one skilled in the art that certain other modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A ski boot construction including:

an outer boot portion and a separate inner boot portion adapted to be positioned within the outer boot;

cooperating means on said inner and outer boots for securing the inner boot in fixed position within the outer boot, said cooperating securing means comprising:

means including a longitudinally extending recess in the interior sole portion of said outer boot for restraining said inner boot against vertical, longitudinal and lateral movement when said inner boot sole is reecived within the recess; and

means for providing access to the interior of the outer boot to facilitate the inner boots entry into and withdrawal from said outer boot.

2. A ski boot construction as set forth in claim 1, further comprising complementary serrations on the outer boot within the recess and on the sole of the inner boot to restrain longitudinal movement of the inner boot when the sole thereof is received in the recess.

3. A ski boot construction as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for restraining said inner boot against longitudinal movement includes a projection from the sole of said inner boot engaging the outer boot at the forward end of said recess.

4. A ski boot construction as set forth in claim 1, wherein the Width of said recess substantially corresponds to that of the received inner boot sole to thereby restrain lateral movement of the inner boot.

5. A ski boot construction as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for restraining said inner boot against vertical movement includes complementary serrations on the exterior heel portion of the inner boot and on the interior heel portion of the outer boot.

'6. A ski boot construction as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for restraining said inner boot against vertical movement includes a projection from the sole of said inner boot extending beneath a shoulder in the outer boot formed by said recess.

7. A ski boot construction as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an adjustable strap secured on opposite sides of the inner boot and passing over and engaging the instep area thereof.

8. A ski boot construction as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means for restraining said inner boot against vertical movement includes:

(a) complementary serrations on the exterior heel portion of the inner boot and on the interior heel portion of the outer boot, and

(b) a projection from the front portion of the sole of the inner boot extending beneath a shoulder in the outer boot formed by said recess.

9. A ski boot construction as set forth in claim 8, wherein said projection engages the outer boot at the forward end of the recess for restraining said inner boot against longitudinal movement.

10. A ski boot construction as set forth in claim 8, wherein the Width of said recess substantially corresponds to that of the received inner boot sole to thereby restrain lateral movement of the inner boot.

11. A ski boot construction as set forth in claim 10, wherein said projection engages the outer boot at the for- 7 8 ward end of the recess for restraining said inner boot References Cited against longitudinal movement. UNITED STATES PATENTS 12. A ski boot construction as set forth in claim 11,

further comprising an adjustable strap secured on opposite 3,067,531 12/1962 Scott 36 2'5 AL sides of the inner boot and passing over and engaging the 5 3,228,122 1/1966 Ludwlg 36 2'5 AL p g f h 1 12 FOREIGN PATENTS 3. s i oot construction as set ort in cairn 891,063 9/1953 G m n 36-2.5 AL further comprising complementary serrations on the outer 1,007,668 5/1957 3 i 36 2 5 AL boot Within the recess and on the sole of the inner boot to further restrain longitudinal movement of the inner 1 PATRICK D LAWSON Primary Examiner boot when the sole thereof is received in the recess. 

